Meatheads, a new burgers and fries fast-casual restaurant, will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 30. Located in the old Blockbuster building (part of which was demolished), the restaurant is celebrating its opening by offering free food Dec. 28 and 29 in exchange for donations to a few of our favorite local charities, including the Crisis Nursery and the Champaign County YMCA.

Each person will receive a complimentary burger, toppings, fries and a soft drink. To get in on this deal, you must sign up for a specific seating time. The website says you will receive a confirmation email and must bring that with notice with you.

Seatings on Dec. 28 from 6 – 8 p.m. will benefit the Champaign County YMCA gymnastics program.

Seatings on Dec. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. will benefit the Crisis Nursery in Urbana, and the seating from 5 to 8 p.m. will benefit the Champaign-Urbana Youth Hockey Association.

Meatheads is located at 1305 South Neil Street, Champaign.

If you eat at Meatheads, send us a review!

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By Rachael McMillan

Tax Day Freebies aren’t as abundant this year as they have been in years past, but here are a few that might make you smile this weekend. Although April 15 is traditionally tax day, this year’s filing deadline is actually April 18 … which is a long story you can read about here.

It's tax time, but we can feel "richer" with these freebies! Photo by OhioProgressive on Flickr

On to the Tax Day Freebies:

Chili’s is offering a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Make sure to Print this coupon and call ahead to make sure your Chili’s is participating.

From April 15 to 18, Direct TV customers get a free trial of HBO and Cinemax. HBO is also free on those days for subscribers of Dish Network and some other pay-TV services.

Get free copies (limit 25 pages) of tax returns at participating Office Depot branches through Monday.

Arby’s has declared Friday, April 15 as Free FryDay at all nationwide locations in honor of this year’s tax weekend.  Customers who print a coupon from the Arby’s Facebook page will receive a free value-size curly fry.

This isn’t a Tax Day freebie, but it’s this weekend: Target is giving away free reusable bags (with purchase) on Sunday, April 17 in honor of Earth Day. Hurry, these will be gone quickly.

More birthday freebies!

This is part two of our focus on birthday freebies. Two things: 1) you may want to check out my previous post on birthday giveaways because readers have added information that I had missed, and 2) our kids-eat-free list is a good supplement for the info below.

Keep in mind that the best time to sign up for birthday freebies isn’t when the birthday is imminent. Signing up for many of these program ahead of time is the best way to ensure that you/your kids will get your loot on schedule. Plus, some places give a free gift just for signing up.

More free birthday eats

If you register online for TGI Friday’s “Give Me More Stripes” club you should receive a certificate for a free appetizer instantly, frequent customer rewards throughout the year, and a certificate for a free dessert on your birthday with the purchase of a meal. This deal is adult-specific.

Joining IHOP’s Pancake Revolution (by far the best name for a rewards program that I’ve come across) is good for a free meal instantly, on your birthday, and on your joining anniversary.

Kids-only free birthday meals

If you sign your kids up for Bob Evans’ birthday club you’ll receive certificates good for free meals on their birthdays. Ditto for Burger King’s Club BK and Sonic’s Kids’ Birthday Club.

Kids can get a free cupcake from Barnes and Noble’s café for joining the B&N Kid’s Club. They also get a free book from Tikatok.com, in addition to special deals throughout the year.

Free fun & games

Being a member of the Toys R Us birthday club nets—according to their site—a phone call from Geoffrey on your child’s birthday (if you choose), a party planner, a free gift and card, and an “in-store celebration.” Signing your child up at the Chuck E Cheese website will ensure that when her birthday rolls around, free tokens head her way.

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

No related posts.

Happy birthday to you! (Yes, you!)

Why not kick off your celebration with a few freebies? After all, if there is one day a year when the universe should toss some goodies your way, it’s today.

Happy birthday - now get free stuff!

And, in the extremely likely event that today isn’t your actual birthday, I have good news: the first freebie isn’t birthday-specific. Also, many of these are email club offers, and when you sign up for them you are alerted to special deals throughout the year—and often get something free just for signing up—in addition to getting a treat on your birthday. The rest, you can just file away for later.

This is the first of what will probably be at least a few posts about birthday freebies. I’ll get around to the deals for kids later; right now, I feel like focusing on the ones that we grown-ups can use. We have to be a little selfish sometimes, yes? And, of course, some of the deals listed below will work for the entire family.

You might want to check out the Frugal Living TV website, from which I sourced many of these deals. If you’ll be traveling on your birthday, some additional offers from that site may apply to you. And, as always, leave a comment if you know of a deal I’ve missed.

Free movie at Redbox

As far as I know, the code I posted last week—DVDATWAG—is still working at Walgreens’ Redboxes.

Yesterday I tried the code DVDONME at a Walgreens and it worked for a free one-night rental. It should be good at all Redbox locations—not just at Walgreens. Another code to try is BREAKROOM.

Houlihan’s, Noodles & Company, Ruby Tuesday’s, Ryan’s/Hometown Buffet

Sign up for Houlihan’s email club to receive a free entrée on your birthday. Noodles & Company’s E-Club will send you a certificate good for a free regular noodle bowl + one protein. Being a member of Ruby Tuesday’s So Connected club is good for a free burger. And, signing up for the Hometown Buffet/Ryan’s family of restaurants eClub should net you a BOGO offer for a meal on your birthday.

Applebees, the El Toro family of restaurants, Outback Steakhouse

Order a meal, tip them off that you’re celebrating, and you will receive a free dessert—and in some cases a *sigh* song—on your birthday. At El Toro, you may get a shot of tequila in lieu of dessert (yum!).

Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone Creamery

Sign up online to receive free ice cream on your birthday from Baskin Robbins. By signing up for Cold Stone Creamery’s My Cold Stone Club you’ll receive a coupon for a free treat immediately, and again on your birthday (give them some time to get their new site up and running).

Buffalo Wild Wings

Visit their website, sign up for the Buffalo Circle (access it by clicking the Be Here tab), and you’ll receive a coupon good for a free dessert on your birthday.

Caribou Coffee

Bring this coupon and a photo ID to Caribou Coffee—located inside area County Market stores—for a free drink on your birthday.

Helzberg Diamonds

Word is, if you sign up for Helzberg Diamond’s email club they’ll send you a certificate good for a free pair of pearl earrings on your birthday. I contacted our local store and couldn’t get verification about this specific giveaway, but they do honor the corporate offers, and their website states that you get a free gift just for signing up.

Rachael McMillan is a former high school teacher, social worker, cake decorator, and just about any other profession you can think of do-er. In addition to writing, tutoring, and giving talks about fair trade, she is currently staying home with the highly entertaining Jack and Kate.

No related posts.

There’s no question that people in Champaign-Urbana like to eat out. And there are several places that offer kids-eat-free specials, so it’s no biggie if the crockpot accidentally didn’t turn on one morning, or if the dog ate your turkey.

Credit: iStockPhoto

We have confirmed these deals as of November 2010 unless otherwise noted. Note that age and the “fine print” vary by restaurant. Call ahead if you have any questions.

Notice a new deal? Send us your tips (pun intended)

• Free Pancake Day at IHOP: On February 28, 2012, guests from around the country are invited to celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP and enjoy a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return for the free pancakes, guests are asked to consider leaving a donation for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals© and other designated local charities. IHOP is at 308 E. Green Street, Champaign; 351-6972
• (Added 2/4) Cocina Real, Urbana. Kids eat free on Sundays off the children’s menu. (10 and under). 1106 W. University Ave., Urbana; 328-0411

• (Added 2/4) Ryan’s, Champaign and Hometown Buffet, Champaign. Kids eat free with a paying adult (up to two kids per adult). Offer valid through 3/31/12; coupon available here. Ryans is at 1004 W. Anthony Drive Champaign. (217) 352-7403; Hometown Buffet is at 2306 North Prospect Avenue, Champaign; 217-355-9429

• (Added 5/16) Chili’s, Champaign. We’ve been featuring special Chili’s Kids Eat Free days all winter, but now our local franchise has decided to do Kids Eat Free every Tuesday! Kids eat free all day (open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.) off the kids menu with purchase of adult meal. 1905 N. Prospect. 398-2161

• (Added 5/10) Denny’s Diner in Tuscola. Kids eat free Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Get two kids meals free ( for kids 10 and under) per adult entree purchased. 104 Tuscola Boulevard, Tuscola (217) 253-6756

• (Added 5/10) Kids eat free at El Toro in Rantoul all day, every Monday (from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Get one kids meal from the child menu per adult entree purchased. 1668 East Grove Avenue Rantoul (217) 893-0100

• (Added 3/17) Kids eat free on Sundays at Fiesta Ranchero restaurant. Limit two kids meals; must order off the kids menu. 1805 S Neil Street, Champaign (former El Toro building). (217) 356-6300

• Applebee’s – (SAVOY LOCATION ONLY) - Kids eat free all day, Monday through Thursday.  One free kids meal (12 and under) per every adult meal purchased. Dine-in only. 1201 N. Dunlap Ave., Savoy. (217) 359-1894

• O’Charley’s - Everyday. Up to two kids (10 and under) eat free from kid’s menu with paying adult; drink not included. 730 W. Town Center Blvd, Champaign. 355-3901

• El Toro 2 – Sundays. Kids 12 and under eat free from kid’s menu; one free entree with each paid adult entree. 723 S. Neil location only . 378-7807

• Friday’s - Sunday all day and Thursday nights after 5 p.m.  Kids 12 and under eat free from kids’ menu; includes fountain drink or milk. Not valid with any other offer. 100 Trade Center Dr. # 101, Champaign (near the corner of Neil and Kirby). 352-5595 (reconfirmed as of 8/21/10)

• Flat Top Grill – Mondays. Kids 10 and under free; one free kids meal per each adult entree purchased. Everyday, kids 4 and under eat free during lunch or dinner (but not weekend brunch). 607 S. Sixth Street, Champaign. 344-3200

• Atlanta Bread Co. – Tuesday 4-9. One kids’ meal (off the kids menu)per one adult’s purchased meal. 12 and under (includes drink and cookie). 1905 S. Neil St., Champaign; 356-8040.

• Pizza Hut - Tuesday 5-8 p.m. One child 12 and under eats free off the buffet per adult meal purchased. Dine in only. 409 N. Mattis Ave., Champaign. 359-8807

• Steak ‘n Shake - Saturday and Sundays. One kids plate (12 and under) per $8 spent, dine in only. All metro locations.

Other great deals for kids:

• Za’s - Everyday. $1.99 meals for kids 10 and under, one for each adult meal purchased; comes with a drink and snack side. Dine-in and drive-thru! Both Champaign locations.
• Perkins - Every day. For each adult entrée, kids 12 and under receive one meal from the children’s menu for .99. 1214 W. University Ave., Urbana. 328-3000
• Fazoli’s - Tuesday night from 5 – 8 p.m. Kids 12 and under eat a kids meal for .99 cents; one for every adult entree purchased. Activity table with arts and crafts available. 2029 N. Prospect Ave., Champaign. 356-4820
• BW3 – Sunday $1.99 cents kids meals for 12 and under; Dine-in only. Comes with a drink.  Champaign and Savoy locations. 378-4400 and 356-9464
• Texas Roadhouse – Tuesday night is kids’ night. Free ice cream with every kids meal purchased. 204 N. Country Fair Dr., Champaign. (added 5/16)

Related posts:

1. Champaign-Urbana Area Free Indoor Play Guide
2. Santa Makes Calls to Champaign-Urbana Area Kids
3. Let’s Keep Champaign-Urbana Kids Warm This Winter